Venomous snake, so called from the characteristic depression between the eyes and nose, from 1872, from the pit (n.1) + viper. Applies to persons with a malicious character at least since the 1590s. The only venomous snake found in the UK, but not particularly dangerous. The word replaced the native adders. „Viper meat was once considered highly nutritious or fortifying and was often used in medicine“ [OED]; Hence the Viper wine, a wine treated with a kind of viper extract, the 17c. of „gray beard gallants“ used to „feel a new lust, and juvenile flames agin“. [Massinger] Among vipers, these snakes are also unique in that they have a specialized muscle called Muscularis pterigoidius glandulae, between the venom gland and the head of the ectopteridoid. The contraction of this muscle, as well as that of the muscle compressor gland, forces the poison of the gland. [6] early 15th century, from the old French vipere, earlier in English as vipera (around 1200), directly from the Latin vipera „viper, snake, snake“, contraction of *vivipera, vivus „alive, alive“ (from the root PIE *gwei- „to live“) + to say „to bring, to carry“ (from the root PIE *pere- (1) „to produce, to produce“). As with many species of snakes in colder climates, viper eggs are in most cases kept in the mother until hatching.
Crotalinae, commonly known as pit vipers[2],[3] Crotalin snakes (from ancient Greek: κρόταλον krotalon[4] castanet) or pit vipers, are a subfamily of vipers found in Eurasia and America. Like all other vipers, they are toxic. They are characterized by the presence of a heat-sensitive fossa organ located between the eye and the nostril on both sides of the head. Currently, 23 genera and 155 species are recognized:[5] These are also the only viperids found in the Americas. Groups of snakes depicted here include rattlesnakes, spearheads, and Asian vipers. The type genus of this subfamily is Crotalus, whose type species is the wood rattlesnake C. horridus. [Citation needed] The meaning „residence of evil spirits, hell“ has been attested since the end of the 12th century. The meaning „very small depression or bump on the surface of an object“ dates back to the early 15th century.
The anatomical meaning of „natural or hollow depression in a part of the body“ is late 13c,; the pit of the stomach (1650s) is so called by the slight depression between the ribs; The previous words for this were chest fossa (late 14. == External links == Like most snakes, crotalins remain for themselves and strike only when cornered or threatened. Small snakes are less likely to survive than larger specimens. Pollution and destruction of tropical forests have led to the decline of many pit viper populations. People also threaten pit vipers, as many are hunted for their skin or killed by cars when they wander the streets. [Citation needed] These snakes range from the tiny humpback-nosed viper, hypnale hypnale, which reaches a typical total length (including tail) of just 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in),“ to the bush master Lachesis muta, a species known to reach a maximum total length of 3.65 m (12.0 ft). Many temperate species of pit vipers (e.g., most rattlesnakes) congregate in protected areas or „caves“ to hibernate (brumate, see hibernation), with snakes benefiting from combined heat. In cool weather and during pregnancy, pit vipers also sunbathe on sunny rocky outcrops. Some species do not gather in this way, for example, the copper head, Agkistrodon contortrix, or the Mojave rattlesnake, Crotalus scutulatus. [Citation needed] Oviparous (laying) vipers include Lachesis, Calloselasma and some species of Trimeresurus. It is believed that all laying crotinolines keep their eggs.
[Citation needed] The Latin word may come from the PIE root *pau- (2) „cut, beat, buffer“, but there are phonetic and sensual objections. Although some species of Crotalines are very active during the day, such as Trimeresurus trigonocephalus, a bright green pit otter endemic to Sri Lanka, most are nocturnal and prefer to avoid high daytime temperatures and hunt when their preferred prey is also active. It is also believed that the heat-sensitive pits of snakes help to find cooler areas where they can rest. [10] In the past, pit vipers were generally classified as a separate family: crotalidae. Today, however, the monophyly of viperines and croolins as a whole is undisputed, which is why they are treated here as a subfamily of Viperidae. [Citation needed] Find out which words work together and create more natural English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
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